Within the nursing profession, there are four key aspects that represent the overall acceptance and recognition as a full profession. This is based on the Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. These four elements, commonly referred to as LACE are the representation of full regulation of the process for preparation of nurses across the curriculum. For Nurse Practitioners, part of this LACE processes includes the requirement to acquire the certification of either of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AANP) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (ANCC). This implies the need to sit an exam administered by any of these two bodies. The two bodies are recognized by licensing committees across more than 50 states and while previously there has been a preference for the AANC exam, today there is no likelihood that an employer can discriminate on the basis of possessing a AANC over a AANP or vice versa. For instance, the Veteran’s Administration facilities would previously give first priority to the AANC over the AANP but this has since been eliminated and each of these two certifications is recognized to possess similar weight for all professionals (AAPN, 2015).
In my case, I choose the AANP examination and ultimate certification. This is based on two major factors; on one hand, the acquisition of the AANC is more costly both for the initial fee and the renewal fees after every year as compared to the AANP. Currently, the initial fee for the AANC is set at $270 for ANA members, $395 for non-members and between $290 and $340 for AANP members (AACN, 2016). The AANP exam on the other hand will cost $170 for AANP members and $245 for non-members this making it considerably fair for my case. While the renewal period for both cases is five years, an AANC certification over the entire career for an average professional would mean a total of $2495 for ANA non-members like in my case. With the AANP, the renewal is set at just $125 which implies a total of $1975 on average for entire career renewal. This is a significant difference for certifications that would ideally serve the same purpose (AACN, 2016).
The second major reason for choice of the AANP over the AANC is that the pass rate for the AANP is 5% higher than the AANC and without doubt they cover similar content with minimal differences in categories of classification. While the AANC itself divides its content into three large categories and is more focused on theoretical foundations, ethical considerations as well as health policies, the AANP is more focused on the actual aspects of assessment, diagnosis, formulation, planning and evaluation as well as follow ups which are areas that are more aligned to the actual practice settings (AACN, 2016). This arrangement of the AANP technically makes it easier to prepare and my plan is to utilize the curriculum content and particular the lecture notes for the past few years.
Further, I will work closely with one of the faculty members at my institution who will provide me with the necessary guidance as to the areas that I need to cover and the right choice of materials that I need to utilize. I will work with a network of colleagues who have sat the paper as well as those who are seeking to sit the exam so that we can organize group discussions over weekends as we approach the set time for the exam. I believe such a plan would significantly benefit my preparedness for the exam as it would combine the brainstorming of ideas and content from the past, faculty experience as well as curriculum content.
Texas is one of those states that are regarded as currently having significant restrictions for full practice of NPs. On one hand, the Texas Board of Nursing requires that an NP meets the educational requirements set within the state even when they have already practiced in another state. This is despite the fact that Texas is among the states that were initial members of the Nurse License Compact States which allows nurses to practice across several states with the same license. On practice environment, the NPs in Texas may not be allowed to prescribe unless the physician’s name and address is indicated on the prescription. This implies that the NPs will also require a protocol or a written authority to make any medical authorizations to the patients. The Texas Board of Nursing also does not allow NPs from prescribing or even refilling controlled substances (Schedule II and IV drugs) without the written authorization of the physician and this is normally in very unique situations (Texas Board of Nursing, 2016).
References
AACN. (2016). American Association of Colleges of Nursing | APRN Consensus Process. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/aprn-consensus-process
AAPN. (2015). Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education - American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Retrieved from http://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3498
Texas Board of Nursing. (2016). Texas Board of Nursing - 2013 Practice. Retrieved from http://www.bon.state.tx.us/laws_and_rules_nursing_practice_act_2013.asp
